I sought out this title after having read "The Time of the Fireflies," which I absolutely loved. Kimberley Griffiths Little writes with such description and creates an historical, southern, spooky filter that paces the story well and keeps you intrigued. There were similar themes in both books, both taking place in the same town. Both stories center around a house, a bridge, a dangerous game that children play, and of course, the Louisiana bayou. The books starts out deep within a rough spot for the main character, Shelby Jane. Her parents are split, her dad is long-term traveling for work, and her grandmother has to have surgery. That means that Shelby Jane has to start school in a new town while living with her mom in a spooky swamp house on the bayou. She's confused and angry about why her mother left her and now she's forced to patch up loose ends. To add to that, her mother is a traiteur, which means she may get picked on at school. Kids don't quite understand a woman who lives in the swamp and uses roots and prayers to heal people. Things are already strange, but get stranger when Shelby Jane takes a note from the blue bottle tree in the backyard. Who wrote the note? What does it mean? Why do kids play on an old, dilapidated bridge by daring one another in a dangerous game? Shelby Jane is suddenly snatched up into a ghostly mystery that has to do with an old bridge, a strange, but kind girl who seems lost, and putting the pieces together that may ultimately heal her mother's regrets from years past. The story comes to a satisfying end. Loose ends are beautifully woven together again, while leaving the reader with a warm sense of possibility. I strongly recommend this book to girls between 9 and 12, especially those interested in light historical ghost stories. As many will know by now, I am a fan of middle-grade books. Unfortunately, finding great stories geared toward this age group can be tricky. Thankfully, that wasn't an issue with Circle of Secrets!Shelby is a likable character who is angry with her mother for abandoning her a year ago. Now she's faced with confronting her mother, fitting in at a new school (with some fierce bullies) and dealing with the absence of a father overseas. Soon she finds a friend to confide in, who happens to have secrets of her own.A little bit creepy, this story had me turning the page to learn all the secrets!This story is so beautifully written it captivated me with the realistic imagery of the south, drawing me into this charming world with bayous and moss, gators and crawfish. I wanted to pull up a chair and enjoy a meal with these characters. Fortunately for me, this book was a feast!
What do You think about Circle Of Secrets (2011)?
i love this book its awsome i love how juicy its geeting i think my hole class should sing this
—mariep
o.m.g. O.M.G. O! M! G! it was spectacularness! no. awesometatiousful, according to k-r!
—michael
great book about second chances with lots of good louisiana bayou folklore and ghosts
—Jrodnumber10
